Kochi: The Orthodox faction of the Malankara church on December 18 called off its 10- day old indefinite agitation demanding implementation of the Supreme Court verdict in the Malankara case, following a truce brokered by the three-member Cabinet sub committee.

Catholics of the faction, Baselius Marthomas Mathews II conducted a holy mass at the St Peters and St Paul's church at Kolencherry, which had remained shut for over four years and announced the calling off of the agitation.

As part of the agitation, two metropolitans were on indefinite fast since December 9, protesting against what the faction called "denial of justice" to them.

When the condition of one of them deteriorated, he was removed to hospital and another metropolitan had taken his place in the fasting 'pandal'. On the eighth day of his fasting, the health condition of metropolitan Thomas Mar Athanasius deteriorated, but he refused to be removed to the hospital, causing anxious moments.

PTI